Detergent container for washing machine and washing machine having the same

ABSTRACT

A washing machine includes a detachable detergent container. A detergent tray is affixed in an upper portion of the cabinet of the washing machine. The detergent container is removably coupled to the detergent tray which is coupled to detergent supply pipe that interconnects the detergent container and the tub. The detergent container includes a nozzle unit for drawing detergent out and a valve for controlling detergent flow. The valve is operable to close a outflow port when the detergent container is detached from the detergent tray, and operable to open the flow path when the detergent container is attached to the detergent tray. In this manner, the valve can prevent liquid leakage from the detergent container when it is detached from the detergent tray.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0017541, filed on Feb. 16, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to washing machines, and more particularly, to detergent containers in washing machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, a drum type washing machine washes laundry by rotating a drum with washing water mixed with detergent and/or other additives. It offers the advantages of high water and detergent usage efficiency, reduced laundry entanglement and reduced laundry damage.

A drum type washing machine may include a cabinet serving as an exterior housing, a tub disposed inside the cabinet and configured to contain washing water, a drum disposed inside the tub and configured to accommodate washing objects (e.g., laundry), a motor configured to drive the rotation of the drum, a water supply device configured to supply washing water to the tub, a detergent tray configured to store one or more additives (including liquid or powder detergent, fabric softener, etc.), a detergent supply pipe configured to supply the additives into the tub, a drying system configured to supply a hot air flow to dry the washing objects, and a water drain device configured to drain the washing water to the outside of the cabinet.

In a conventional washing machine, a detergent tray is commonly configured as a drawer that can be pulled out by a user, but usually not detachable from the washing machine. It is difficult to clean the detergent tray of such a design if detergent residue or the like remains in the tray or if detergent that is not used for a long period time sticks to an inner bottom portion of the tray.

In some other conventional designs, a detergent tray is configured to be detachable. However, liquid additive stored therein likely leaks through a nozzle of the tray when it is detached from the detergent supply pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a washing machine with a detergent container that can be detached from the washing machine by a user (e.g., for cleaning) without causing leakage of the liquid additive contained therein.

In accordance with one embodiment, a washing machine includes a cabinet configured to form an outer shell of the washing machine, a tub installed within the cabinet, a drum rotatably installed inside the tub, a detergent tray installed in an upper portion of the cabinet, a detergent container removably mounted to the detergent tray and configured to store an additive (e.g., detergent or fabric softer) and a detergent supply pipe. The detergent supply pipe is configured to interconnect the detergent container and the tub so that the additive stored within the detergent container is supplied to the tub through the detergent supply pipe. The detergent container includes a case, a nozzle unit and a valve. The case is configured to provide therein a storage space for storing the additive. The nozzle unit is installed at one side of the case to supply additive stored within the case to the detergent supply pipe. The valve is mounted to the nozzle unit to control a flow of the additive.

The valve may include a valve body, a valve cover and an opening/closing piece. The valve body includes an inflow port through which the detergent is introduced, an outflow port from which the detergent is discharged toward the detergent supply pipe, and a detergent flow path defined between the inflow port and the outflow port. The valve cover is mounted to the inflow port of the valve body. The opening/closing piece is configured to selectively cut off the outflow port. The elastic member is resiliently held between the valve cover and the opening/closing piece.

The opening/closing piece may include a valve pin and a sealing member fitted around the valve pin. The valve pin is installed so as to move along a detergent flow path and pushed by the detergent supply pipe to open the outflow port when the detergent container is mounted to the cabinet.

The detergent tray may include a housing installed in the upper portion of the cabinet, a mounting recess portion and a detergent storage part. The mounting recess portion is formed at one side of the housing to receive the detergent container. The detergent storage part is provided at the other side of the housing so that powder additive can be stored in the detergent storage part.

The push tab is configured to push the valve pin when the detergent container is mounted to the cabinet. The push tab protrudes from an end portion of the detergent supply pipe.

In accordance with another aspect, a detergent container includes a case removably mounted to a cabinet of the washing machine, a nozzle unit and an opening/closing valve. The nozzle unit is installed at one side of the case to supply an additive stored within the case to a detergent supply pipe of the washing machine. The opening/closing valve is mounted to the nozzle unit so as to control a flow of the additive.

The valve may include a valve body, a valve cover, an opening/closing piece and an elastic member. The valve body may include an inflow port, an outflow port coupled to the detergent supply pipe, and a detergent flow path defined between the inflow port and the outflow port. The valve cover is mounted to the inflow port of the valve body. The opening/closing piece is configured to selectively cut off the outflow port. The elastic member is resiliently held between the valve cover and the opening/closing piece.

The opening/closing piece may include a valve pin moveable along the detergent flow path and pushed by the detergent supply pipe to open the outflow port when the detergent container is mounted to the cabinet, and a sealing member fitted around the valve pin.

The nozzle unit may include a bracket installed at one side of an upper portion of the case and configured to be coupled to the detergent supply pipe, a first nozzle horizontally extending from the bracket, and a second nozzle extending vertically downward from the first nozzle so that an end portion of the second nozzle is spaced apart by a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the case.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the detergent box is configured to be detachable from the cabinet. This facilitates the cleaning and management of the detergent box and makes it possible to prolong the lifespan of a product.

Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the liquid phase detergents stored in the detergent container from being leaked from the detergent container when removing the detergent container from the cabinet (the detergent tray).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the exemplary washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary detergent container for a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the exemplary detergent container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary detergent container coupled to the detergent supply pipe according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosure can be easily determined by those skilled in the art. As those skilled in the art will realize, the described exemplary embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure, which is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic and are not necessarily dimensionally illustrated. Relative sizes and proportions of parts in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size, and a predetermined size is just exemplary and not limitative. The same reference numerals designate the same structures, elements, or parts illustrated in two or more drawings in order to exhibit similar characteristics.

The exemplary drawings of the present disclosure illustrate ideal exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail. As a result, various modifications of the drawings are expected. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to a specific form of the illustrated region, and for example, include a modification of a form by manufacturing.

The configuration and operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the exemplary washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary detergent container for a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the exemplary detergent container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a detergent container 140 for a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a case 141, a nozzle unit 142 and a valve 143 (see FIG. 5).

Specifically, the case 141 provides storage spaces 141 a for storing one or more liquid additives (such as liquid detergent, fabric softener and the like). For example, the storage spaces 141 a may include compartments for storing liquid detergent and fabric softener respectively. The compartments in the case 141 may be separated by a partition wall. A detergent cover 144 for covering the storage spaces 141 a may be coupled to the case 141.

The case 141 may be removably mounted to a detergent tray 100 of the washing machine by the detergent cover 144. The detergent tray 100 may include a housing 110 fixed to the upper portion of the cabinet 10, a mounting recess portion 112 for coupling to the case 141, and a detergent storage part 150 configured to store a powder additive.

In the present embodiment, the detergent container 140 is removably mounted to the detergent tray 100 that is affixed in the washing machine. The detergent tray 100 may not be detachable by a user. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The detergent container may be directly coupled to the cabinet 10 of the washing machine without coupling to the detergent tray 100. In this case, a suction port of a detergent supply pipe 40 is preferably disposed in the cabinet 10 and used for drawing detergent from the detergent container 140.

The nozzle unit 142 may include a bracket 142 a, a first nozzle 142 b and a second nozzle 142 c. The nozzle unit 142 can guide the detergent from the storage spaces 141 a toward the detergent supply pipe 40.

The bracket 142 a may be installed at one side of the upper portion of the case 141 so that the bracket 142 a can be coupled to the detergent supply pipe 40. The first nozzle 142 b may horizontally extend from the bracket 142 a. The second nozzle 142 c may extend vertically downward from the first nozzle 142 b and can draw detergent from the storage spaces 141 a. The opening end of the second nozzle 142 c is above the bottom surface of the storage spaces 141 a by a predetermined distance.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary detergent container coupled to the detergent supply pipe 40 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the valve 143 may control the flow of detergent from the nozzle unit 142 toward the detergent supply pipe 40. The valve 143 may include a valve body 101 installed in the bracket 142 a of the nozzle unit 142, a ring-shaped valve cover 102 mounted to an inflow port 101 a of the valve body 101, an opening/closing piece 103 configured to selectively cut off the outflow port formed within the valve body 101, and an elastic member 104 resiliently held between the valve cover 102 and the opening/closing piece 103.

In the valve body 101, there may be an inflow port 101 a through which detergent is introduced, an outflow port 101 b from which the detergent is discharged to the detergent supply pipe 40, and a detergent flow path between the inflow port 101 a and the outflow port 101 b. The opening/closing piece 103 may include a valve pin 103 a installed so as to move along the detergent flow path and a sealing member 103 b fitted around the valve pin 103 a.

Thus, when the detergent container 140 is removed from the detergent tray 100, a push tab 41 of the detergent supply pipe 40 is separated from the valve pin 103 a of the opening/closing piece 103. Thus, the elastic member 104 of a compressed state may be restored to its initial state. The valve pin 103 a moves toward the right side in FIG. 5 So that the sealing member 103 b of the opening/closing piece 103 may close the outflow port 101 b of the valve body 101.

On the other hand, if the detergent container 140 is coupled to the detergent tray 100 as illustrated in FIG. 6, the push tab 41 of the detergent supply pipe 40 pushes the valve pin 103 a of the valve 143 toward the left side in FIG. 6. The valve pin 103 a may move toward the left side in FIG. 6 while compressing the elastic member 104. At this time, a suction force is generated in the detergent supply pipe 40. The suction force causes the liquid detergent in the storage spaces 141 a to pass through the first and second nozzles 142 b and 142 c and the valve pin 103 a and flow toward the detergent supply pipe 40.

As described above, when the detergent container 140 is removed from the detergent tray 100 by a user, the opening/closing piece 103 closes the outflow port 101 b of the valve body 101. This can advantageously prevent leakage of liquid from the storage spaces 141 a. When the detergent container 140 is mounted to the detergent tray 100, the opening/closing piece 103 opens the outflow port of the valve body 101. Thus, liquid detergent in the storage spaces 141 a may be supplied to a tub 20 through the detergent supply pipe 40.

The washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 10, a tub 20, a drum 30, a detergent tray 100, a detergent container 140 and a detergent supply pipe 40. The washing machine may be a drum type washing machine with a rotatable drum 30. However, a washing machine according to the present disclosure is not limited to any specific type.

More specifically, the cabinet 10 is an outer housing enclosing various components of the washing machine, including the tub 20, the drum 30, the detergent supply pipe 40 and so on. The detergent tray 100, which accommodates the detergent container 140, may be installed in the upper portion of the cabinet 10.

It will be appreciated that any other suitable component that is well known in the art may be included in the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, a motor 90 configured to drive the rotation of the drum 30, a water supply device 70 configured to supply washing water into the tub 20, a drying duct assembly 50 configured to dry washing objects in the tub 20 and a drain device 80 configured to drain washing water to the outside of the cabinet 10, may be installed in the cabinet 10. The drying duct assembly 50 may include a drying duct 52 configured to guide air flow toward the tub 20, a heater unit 53 configured to heat air in the drying duct 52 and a blower fan 51 configured to enhance hot air circulation in the tub 20.

The tub 20 may be horizontally disposed within the cabinet 10. The tub 20 may receive detergent from the detergent tray 100 and the detergent container 140, receive washing water from the water supply device 70 and drain the washing water to the outside of the cabinet 10 through the drain device 80.

The drum 30 may be rotatably installed in the tub 20 and driven by the motor 90. During drum rotation, the washing objects are stirred may be cleaned by washing water mixed with detergent.

The detergent tray 100 is installed in the upper portion of the cabinet 10. In this case, the top surface of the detergent tray 100 may be part of the cabinet 10.

The detergent tray 100 may include a housing 110 installed in the upper portion of the cabinet 10, a mounting recess portion 112 configured to provide, at one side of the housing 110, a space for mounting the detergent container 140, and a detergent storage part 150 configured to provide, at the other side of the housing 110, a space which can store powder detergent.

In the present embodiment, a liquid additive may be stored in the detergent container 140. Powder additive, for example powder detergent, may be stored in the detergent storage part 150. To supply powder additive into the tub 20, washing water may be supplied to the detergent storage part 150 in a washing operation.

The detergent container 140 may be removably mounted to the detergent tray 100. Liquid additives may be stored in the detergent container 140. The detergent supply pipe 40 is coupled to the detergent container 140 and the tub 20 and supplies the detergent from the detergent container 140 to the tub 20. For this purpose, a pump (not shown) may be coupled to the detergent supply pipe 40 and used for pumping and feeding the additives from the detergent container 140 to the tub 20. The pump may feed the liquid phase detergent stored in the detergent container 140 to the tub 20 using the intake/compression force of a piston.

A push tab 41 for selectively operating the valve 143 disposed within the nozzle unit 142 may be installed in the suction port of the detergent supply pipe 40, namely in one end portion of the detergent supply pipe 40 removably mounted to the nozzle unit 142 of the detergent container 140.

When the detergent container 140 is mounted to the mounting recess portion 112 of the detergent tray 100, the push tab 41 of the detergent supply pipe 40 pushes the opening/closing piece 103 of the valve 143. Then, the opening/closing piece 103 moved by the push tab 41 may open the outflow port formed inside the valve 143. At this time, the liquid additives in the detergent container 140 may flow into the tub 20 through the valve 143 and the detergent supply pipe 40.

On the other hand, when the detergent container 140 is removed from the mounting recess portion 112 of the detergent tray 100, the push tab 41 of the detergent supply pipe 40 is detached from the opening/closing piece 103. Then, the elastic member 104 that has been in a compressed state is restored to its natural state. Thus, the opening/closing piece 103 may close the outflow port 101 b of the valve body 101 and so block the detergent flow path formed inside the valve 143.

As described above, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a detergent container is configured to be removable from the cabinet, which facilitates cleaning and other maintenance activities and helps prolong the lifespan of the product. A detergent container according to the present disclosure can also prevent liquid from leaking out of the detergent container when it is detached from the detergent container by a user.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in various ways without changing the necessary features or the spirit of the present disclosure.

Therefore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described above are not limiting, but only an example in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is expressed by claims below, not the detailed description, and it should be construed that all changes and modifications achieved from the meanings and scope of claims and equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification of the present disclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will be construed that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belong to the scope of the present disclosure.

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What is claimed is:
 1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a detergent tray affixed to the cabinet; a detergent container removably coupled to the detergent tray and configured to contain a liquid additive, wherein the detergent container comprises: a nozzle unit configured to draw the liquid additive out from the detergent container; and a valve coupled to the nozzle unit to control a flow of the liquid additive from the detergent container.
 2. The washing machine of claim 1 further comprising a tub; and a detergent supply pipe coupled between the detergent container and the tub.
 3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the detergent container further comprises a case providing a space for containing the liquid additive.
 4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the nozzle unit is disposed at one side of the case and configured to supply the liquid additive to the detergent supply pipe.
 5. The washing machine of claim 2 further comprising a rotatable drum disposed inside the tub.
 6. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the valve comprises: a valve body comprising: an inflow port through which the liquid additive is introduced; an outflow port from which the liquid additive is discharged toward the detergent supply pipe; and a detergent flow path defined between the inflow port and the outflow port; an opening/closing component configured to selectively open the outflow port; and an elastic member resiliently held in the valve body to press the opening/closing component to close the outflow port.
 7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the valve further comprises a valve cover coupled to the inflow port of the valve body.
 8. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the opening/closing component comprises: a valve pin configured to move along the detergent flow path and operable to open the outflow port when the detergent container is attached to the cabinet; and a sealing member disposed around the valve pin.
 9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the detergent supply pipe further comprises a pushing tab configured to push the valve pin to open the outflow port when the detergent container is attached to the cabinet, wherein the pushing tab protrudes from an end portion of the detergent supply pipe.
 10. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the detergent tray comprises: a housing disposed in an upper portion of the cabinet; a mounting recess portion formed at one side of the housing, wherein the detergent container is coupled to the mounting recess portion; and a detergent storage part disposed at the other side of the housing for containing a powder additive.
 11. A detergent container for a washing machine, the detergent container comprising: a case operable to be coupled to a housing of the washing machine; a nozzle unit coupled to the case and operable to guide an additive stored within the case to a detergent supply pipe of the washing machine; and a valve coupled to the nozzle unit and configured to prevent liquid from flowing out of the detergent container when the detergent container is detached from the housing.
 12. The detergent container of claim 11, wherein the valve comprises: a valve body comprising an inflow port through which the additive is introduced to the valve; an outflow port from which the additive is discharged from the valve toward the detergent supply pipe; a detergent flow path defined between the inflow port and the outflow port; a valve cover mounted to the inflow port of the valve body; an opening/closing component configured to selectively close the outflow port; and an elastic member coupled between the valve cover and the opening/closing component and configured to resiliently press the opening/closing component to close the outflow port.
 13. The detergent container of claim 12, wherein the opening/closing component comprises: a valve pin movable along the detergent flow path, wherein, when the detergent container is attached to the housing of the washing machine, the valve pin is pushed by the detergent supply pipe to open the outflow port.
 14. The detergent container of claim 13, wherein the opening/closing component further comprises a sealing member disposed around the valve pin.
 15. The detergent container of claim 13, wherein the nozzle unit comprises a first nozzle and a second nozzle disposed perpendicular to each other, wherein a first end of the second nozzle opens to a bottom surface of the case.
 16. The detergent container of claim 15, wherein the nozzle unit further comprises a bracket disposed at one side of an upper portion of the case and configured to be coupled to the detergent supply pipe.
 17. The detergent container of claim 16, wherein the first nozzle horizontally extends from the bracket, and wherein the second nozzle extends from the first nozzle toward the bottom surface of the case.
 18. The detergent container of claim 11, wherein the additive is one of liquid detergent and fabric softener. 